Indy Aims For 'Energy Security'

InsideINdianaBusiness.com Report

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard has announced a plan he believes will make the city a national leader in energy security. The initiative includes phasing out traditional gas and diesel engine technology in non-police city vehicles by 2025. After that, the fleet will be powered by electricity and compressed natural gas.

The plan includes snow plows, trash trucks and fire apparatus to CNG, but does not include public buses.

It also includes a project to develop what the city calls the world's first plug-in hybrid police vehicle. Indianapolis says it would partner with "one or more" automakers on that initiative.

December 12, 2012

News Release

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Calling it a vital national security issue, Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard today signed Executive Order #6, 2012 making Indianapolis the first city in the nation to require the purchase of either electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles for the city's non-police fleet. Mayor Ballard outlined his proposal this morning in a speech to the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee.

"The United States' current transportation energy model, driven by oil, exacts an enormous cost financially and in terms of strategic leverage," said Mayor Ballard, a retired Marine Officer and Gulf War Veteran. "Our oil dependence in some cases places the fruits of our labor into the hands of dictators united against the people of the United States."

Mayor Ballard also outlined steps to modernize the entire city fleet to electric or plug-in hybrid by 2025. "Over the course of the last century, Indianapolis has been a leader in automotive development, so it is perfectly fitting we lead the way again."

Thanks to the leadership of Energy Systems Network working with its industry partners through the Project Plug-IN initiative, Indianapolis has already been recognized by Toyota, Ford and the U.S. Department of Energy as a one of the top communities for deployment of plug-in vehicles and charging stations with more than 200 charging stations installed across Central Indiana.

Mayor Ballard's proposal contains the following initiatives:

Executive Order #6, 2012 requires the purchasing of electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles for non-police fleet use. The city fleet of approximately 500 non-police fleet cars will be replaced, as needed, saving taxpayers approximately $12,000 per vehicle over the ten-year life cycle of each car.

Conversion of heavy fleet vehicles to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). The city is currently working with partner organizations including Energy Systems Network and finance experts to convert the city's heavy fleet, including snow plows, trash trucks and fire apparatus to CNG.

Developing the world's first plug-in hybrid police vehicle. Finally, the city is seeking to partner with one or more automakers to develop a plug-in hybrid police vehicle that meets the safety, power, electronic and range needs of a modern urban police force. If a plug-in hybrid electric car could achieve just 40 MPG and meet the needs of police officers, city taxpayers would save up to $10 million per year. The city’s current police vehicles average 10 MPG.